Mind, Body, Spirit
We live in a world of brokenness, at a time when life often feels scattered. Where do we go to seek wholeness? Through mindful practices, chant, and Musar, etc., we seek to integrate our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves to live healthy and holy lives. This tikkun han’shama (repairing the self), paves the way for tikkun haolam (repairing the world).
Mussar at Beth El
TASTE OF MUSSAR:
Explore The World of Mussar in this 5 Session Introductory Course
Facilitated by Liba Zweigbaum – Herman
DATES: Five weeks, November 4th, 11th, 18th | December 2nd & 9th
TIME: Daytime 1:00 – 3:00 OR Evening 7:00 – 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Hybrid – Beth El Synagogue Learning Center and On-Line if Needed
FEE: $75/Person | $100/Sustainer ($25 donation to Beth El Community Learning @ The Well)
Scholarships available
Many people are seeking to live with greater consciousness and mindfulness; both in their actions and thoughts. Mussar, a Jewish spiritual practice, explores personal character traits called middot. Through working on the development and awareness of these traits, each of us learn how to respond to the world in ways that help bring about greater peace, compassion, understanding, and joy. This five-week course will provide a sample of this ancient Jewish, contemplative practice, through a variety of teaching modalities.
Liba is an experienced Mussar practitioner, studying and practicing for 5 years with Cantor Audrey Abrams and Master Mussar Educator, Julie Dean. She has also completed the Cultivating a Wise Heart Mussar Facilitator Training and Mentorship Course.
Register HERE
For more information regarding this course, contact Liba Zweigbaum-Herman at: zweigbaum@yahoo.com
YEAR LONG MUSSAR VA’AD
In-depth Practice of Tikkun Middot, the Refining of our Soul Curriculum
Facilitated by Cantor Audrey Abrams
DATES: 12 weeks; 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from November through May; beginning November 9th
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
LOCATION: In-person, Beth El Synagogue Learning Center
FEE: $250/person | $350/Sustainer ($100 donation to Beth El Community Learning @ The Well)
Scholarships available.
Join this newly forming Va’ad (learning circle) to study the traditional Jewish pathway of Mussar. When we bring greater awareness to the ways in which we “walk in the world”, we have the ability to bring tikkun (repair) and positive impact to the relationships with our family, friends and the larger community. Through this practice, we cultivate our character traits, middot, helping us to become more patient, trusting, reliable, forgiving and bring an overall heightened sense of curiosity and discernment to our lives. This 12-week Va’ad will use Jewish text and a variety of learning modalities such as journaling, home practices and weekly chevruta (study partner) to deepen our personal exploration.
Cantor Audrey Abrams is an experienced Mussar facilitator, studying the Tikkun Middot Curriculum with the Institute of Jewish Spirituality, participating in the clergy Va’ad with Rabbi Ira Stone, director of the Center for Contemporary Mussar and continued study with Master Mussar Educator, Julie Dean.
Register HERE
For more information about this Va’ad, contact Cantor Abrams at: aabrams@bethelsynagogue.org
Mindful Moments – Exact Dates and Times to follow!
Contemplative practice is not new to Judaism. It has been around since the beginning but not the norm of modern day observance.
To be put on an email list, or for more information, please contact Cantor Abrams.
Sacred Chanting: Singing the Texts
Facilitated by Cantor Audrey Abrams
Sacred chant is a way of focusing that helps us enter into the holy intention of a phrase from a prayer or text. By using simple melodies and repeating sacred phrases, chanting can be a powerful tool to open our hearts, become more calm and centered and to heal whatever ails us. You do not have to be a singer to take part.
Jewish Art for the Heart
Facilitated by Cara Strauss and Cantor Audrey Abrams
We are all creative beings. Tapping into that part of our brain to create objects of expression can be both enlightening and freeing and help to reveal what our heart wants to say. In this group we will use simple art techniques and supplies to explore our Jewish souls. No artistic experience necessary. RSVPs appreciated to anticipate supplies needed to be purchased as well as to communicate materials to be brought from home for each class. Donations for purchased supplies may be requested.
Jewish Meditation Circle
Facilitated by Cantor Audrey Abrams
Sit together in a circle of silence, focusing on the divine breath, our middot (character traits), the parasha and more allowing us to develop a compassionate heart and a disciplined mind.
For more information on any of these programs, please contact Cantor Audrey Abrams at aabrams@bethelsynagogue.org or 952.873.7315.